Teenager’s wish for transportation to Mass is granted

Emmanuel Tusinge, an 18-year-old who lives with progressive muscular dystrophy, was given the opportunity to ask for anything he wanted from Make-A-Wish Arizona. His wish: transportation to and from Mass for himself and his family.

Thanks to Make-A-Wish Arizona and AAA Transportation, Emmanuel and his family will be able to attend Mass together at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix for the next year. The family brought up the offertory gifts on September 29th, at the Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, and the Cathedral youth group celebrated with the Tusinge family after Mass.

Employees at the parish were amazed that even though Emmanuel could have gone to Disneyland or lunch with his favorite celebrity, attending Mass was what he wanted most of all.

“It is inspiring that this young man passed up other wishes and chose the greatest desire of all … to spend time with God and join the faithful in full participation in Holy Mass.”